Stockholm city is spread across 14 islands in Lake Mälaren and overlooks the Baltic Sea to the east, but its 57 bridges make sure the city remains well-connected and bunched. Each neighbourhood differs, yet due to their proximity, the visitors can easily pass their time in each locality. Every nook and corner showcases trend-setting design, inventive cuisine, unbeatable museums, great shopping, pretty parks and loads of atmosphere. A few metres from old town, Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s unbelievably enchanting character rubs off on you. Add to that, the city is enclosed by beautiful forests and a vast archipelago. What’s more to love? The majestic buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums speak volumes about her 700 year-old history so eloquently.

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Located along Lake Malaren, Drottningholm is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the residence of the Swedish royal family. It is the best-preserved 16th century palace in Sweden, and its stunning architecture and French gardens attract thousands of tourists each year. Take a guided tour through the palace and admire the stunning white and gold library (stocked with about 2000 books), the tapestries depicting the tragic love story of Hero and Leander, and enjoy a stroll through the magnificent, Versailles-inspired gardens.

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This stunning, leafy oasis in northern Stockholm is a popular haven for locals. During the summer it is packed with nature lovers hiking, walking or just enjoying a picnic in the sun. The park is part of the Royal National City Park—the first national urban park in the world—and is also home to many native animals. At the north entrance there’s a lovely butterfly house—a greenhouse filled with tropical birds, lush vegetation and over 700 species of butterflies—and there’s even an extremely popular restaurant on the premises where you can stop by for lunch.

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The seat of Stockholm's government housing the offices of about 200 politicians, The City Hall is a widely recognised symbol of Stockholm. Built from eight million bricks and topped with the three golden crowns of the Swedish national coat of arms (each one is rumoured to be the size of a small Volkswagen), the site was opened in 1923 and boasts stunning views of Old Town, Riddarholmen and the city's largest island, S√∂dermalm. Every year in December, about 1300 guests including Nobel laureates, the royal family, politicians and honoured guests gather at The Blue Hall inside for the annual Nobel banquet and gala.

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Most people associate the cathedral with its impressive oak statue of St. George and the Dragon—a representation of Swedish victory in one of its many battles with Denmark—but there’s so much more to see in Stockholm's oldest building, dating back to the late 13th century. Within the church you'll find various elaborate statues of saints, a beautiful baroque pulpit, and one of the oldest paintings depicting the city of Stockholm.

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The Royal Dramatic Theater is Sweden’s national stage for drama. The stunning architecture and iconic golden statues date from the theatre’s opening in 1908. Since then, it has hosted performances from famed Swedish actors like Greta Garbo and directors like Ingmar Bergman. If you don’t manage to catch one of the shows, drop by for lunch, dinner or drinks at one of the theatre's three restaurants.

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Stockholm’s extremely successful sustainable city development project, is part of the general trend in Sweden's cities to develop more sustainable living areas. This fully functioning eco-city project began construction in 1994 and has been constructed with strict restrictions. The result is a charming community of sleek and modern apartments, and a range of communal spaces including funky decking structures along the water's edge and lush green areas with fountains.

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Housed in a beautiful art nouveau brick building, dating back to 1906, this outstanding gallery dedicated solely to photography has cultivated a loyal following. Critics have praised Fotografiska for its well curated shows and impeccable taste. Indeed, it's when you find yourself drifting from an exhibition on fashion photography, to insightful documentary photos from war-torn countries that you realise how special this place is. The top floor boasts spectacular views of Stockholm through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the gallery also host debates, club nights with DJs and photography courses.

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This uber-cool retail space is not your run-of-the-mill shopping centre. While it does house a few familiar international brands, it is mostly frequented for it niche boutiques and contemporary designers. A relatively new addition to Stockholm's shopping scene—it only recently opened in 2012—MOOD is trendy, modern and already a favourite with both locals and tourists. There's also free WiFi, and luxurious toilets that are free for all.

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Sweden's leading art and design museum has one of the most impressive art collections in Scandinavia, and certainly the best in Sweden. While the museum's beautiful, mid-19th century, Renaissance building is currently closed due to renovations till 2017, Nationalmuseum is collaborating with other venues to hold temporary exhibitions in the meantime. Exhibitions include incredible works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Renoir, Degas and Gauguin, as well as famous Swedish artists like Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn.

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This beautiful baroque building opened in 1898, and is the birthplace of Swedish opera. Hosting 350 performances during each season—from late August to late June—the Operan’s magnificent foyer features golden walls, opulent mirrors and crystal chandeliers. King Gustaf III, a lover of music and art, built the first opera house on this foundation in 1782. Today, the stunning main stage has three tiers and seats more than 1,000 people for entertainment from world-class performers.

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Formerly the king's hunting island, Djurgården today, is a hub for the city’s nature-lovers and its culturally inclined crowd. Scattered across this beautiful natural setting, is an array of museums (the world-famous Vasa Museum, which houses the preserved 17th-century Vasa ship is also located here), restaurants and even an amusement park. Alternatively, you can take a walk or ride a bike to the further reaches of the island, which are closed off to vehicle traffic, and even enjoy a picnic out on the grass.

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A concrete garden bar under a Södermalm bridge, Trädgården is not just a club for music, but a fun place to challenge your friends to a ping pong duel or a boule battle. In mid-May each year, Trädgården opens to a loyal crowd clamouring to spend another summer drinking under the Skanstull Bridge. As bars go in Stockholm, this one is unique. Lying just next to an old construction site, it can be hard to find but once you enter, you'll know it was well worth it.

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Inundated with art galleries, restaurants and shops with a Bohemian vibe, SoFo is an art and vintage lovers dream. Its plethora of second-hand and retail shops, restaurants and art galleries could easily keep you entertained for an entire day. Tjallamalla sells clothes, jewellery and vintage pieces from edgy Swedish designers, Lisa Larsson is a top vintage clothing store, and Grandpa offers a well curated selection of local and international brands. For a break in the middle of your shopping marathon, pop into Nytorget's Urban Deli for upscale food amidst a stylishly simple restaurant.

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Witness Swedish culture at the world's oldest outdoor museum. Skansen was created in 1891 to preserve Swedish heritage at a time when the industrial revolution threatened to snuff much of it out. The museum has expanded over the years and now encompasses about 300,000 sq m of land, which includes historic houses that have been relocated here, a zoo with Nordic animals, plants, culture, food and handicrafts. You’ll even get to see employees of Skansen dressed up in period costume wandering around the museum.

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Get your sugar fix at Stockholm's Glasshus; a no frills ice-cream parlour devoid of frill or gimmicks, its delicious desserts speak for themselves. Located on Stockholm's residential island Vasastan, this cute family-run ice-cream parlour has been serving Stockholmers their Sunday scoops for decades. All their ice-creams are made on the premises, using natural ingredients, and their customers range from seniors and bright-eyed kids who, to ladies of leisure. Besides regular scoops, they sell frozen yoghurt, sorbet and many other frozen treats.

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